A good Chinese friend of mine was getting her bangs trimmed when I randomly saw her through a salon's window and stopped in to see her this time early in 2008. She asked how I was doing and in response to all the many odd mishaps that seemed to be happening to me she replied with: Well, 2008 is the year of the rat. It's going to be a tough one. Especially if you were born a dog.

Now, I'm not one of those ' ohhhhh I live by the astrological forces' types of guys, but I do believe in some of these things. I mean, who am I to say there aren't forces bigger than us that are ruled by stars and all that stuff? Who I am to assume we are in full power? You know?

I was born the year of the dog and as I look back at 2008, there was major struggle. Of course, there will always be struggles in every year. It's life. It's what we do. But 2008 seemed to be tough for everyone, everywhere. Just think about it. Right?!

Today marks the new Chinese New Year: The Ox. Which means it's a year for hard work. It's a year for changes. It's a year for evolution. It's a year of progress. It's a year to become stronger. It's a year to realize the weaknesses and decide whether you can handle them or if you have to let them go.

While doing my research of what it really means to be in the year of the Ox, I found people who were born in the years of the Ox(which means, for them, they are meant to shine) which will make this their year.

One of those people: Barack Obama.

No. Joke.

I think this going to be a year. A damn good year for everyone.

Sidenote: You can get your prediction here for whatever animal you are. Dude, lighten up. Even if you don't believe in it, it still can be interesting, right?!